Elon Musk: Advice for Young People | Lex Fridman Podcast Clips

Summary

Elon Musk encourages young people to read widely to gain knowledge, find meaningful work at the intersection of their talents and interests, and aim to create more value than they consume. He advises developing a 'grow the pie' mindset rather than zero-sum thinking, celebrating others' successes, and making a positive net contribution to society.

Takeaways

• Read widely to explore interests and build general knowledge
• Find work you're skilled at and passionate about
• Create more economic, social, and moral value than you consume
• Cultivate a 'grow the pie' cooperative mindset rather than zero-sum thinking
• Celebrate others' successes rather than seeing life as a competition
• Make a positive net contribution to the world
• Develop useful skills and apply them for good
• Aim to live a useful life and help fellow humans
• Be wary of questionable acts rooted in unconscious zero-sum beliefs
• Add to the economic pie by creating value, not taking slices

Q & A

What broad advice does Elon Musk give to young people?

He encourages them to read widely to gain knowledge, find meaningful work at the intersection of their talents and interests, and aim to create more value than they consume while making a positive net contribution to society.

Why does Musk recommend reading an encyclopedia?

To quickly build general knowledge across many areas and help young people determine what subjects they are truly interested in and skilled at.

What is the difference between a zero-sum mindset and a 'grow the pie' mindset?

A zero-sum mindset sees life as a competition with limited resources, requiring taking from others to succeed. A 'grow the pie' mindset believes cooperation can create more value so everyone benefits.

How can celebrating others' successes result in more resources and opportunities?

By promoting ideas and exciting interest in areas like science, research, and technology, more funding and progress can happen, benefiting wider fields.

What does Musk mean when he says to create more economic value than you consume?

That your work and skills should produce goods, services, innovations etc. of higher value than the resources you use up.